Reds decline $20M option on Joey Votto, possibly ending Cincinnati career after 17 seasons

Joey Votto's $20 million option for 2024 was declined Saturday by the Reds, making the first baseman a free agent and possibly ending his career with Cincinnati after 17 seasons. Votto will get a $7 million buyout, completing a contract that guaranteed $251.5 million over 12 seasons. Cincinnati also declined its part of a $4 million mutual option with catcher Curt Casali, who gets a $750,000 buyout.